Switch unit for overhead tracks



Aug. 1, 1950 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 5. LE FIELL SWITCH UNIT FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTQR. Sidney Le F/el/ flwwh Aff'y Aug. 1, 1950 5. LE FIELL swncn UNIT FOR OVERHEAD TRACKS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 13, 1946 l H R H N E 8 I. m y e n M S .L Aff'y Patented Aug. 1 1950 UNITED STATES;

PATENT. OFFICE This invention relates to improvements in switches for overhead tracks, and has particular reference to a switch unit which may be employed wherever a switching operation musttake place in an overheadtrack construction, such as .are used in warehouses, meat storage plants and switch with the track with which it is associated,

is permanently assured.

A further object is to provide a switch unit which may be joined to straight lengths of track with standard two-hole hangers, whereby the track ends do not have to be drilled in any special on-the-job manner, or be fitted or bent to fit the switch unit.

A still further object is to provide a unit construction which eliminates the necessity for corner blocks, etc., in the timbering to support the track hangers at the switches.

A still further object is to provide a steel switch which will not break or wear down as occurs with the ordinary cast iron switch.

A further object is to provide a switch unit which may be assembled at the factory and later installed upon the job without the necessity for complicated fitting and aligning.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one of my track units as the same would appear in use.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the unit shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 2, and

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the switch in straight-line position.

In the installation of switches for overhead tracks it has heretofore been customary to employ cast iron units which require fitting on the job, drilling to fit existing holes in the track or switch, bending the track to fit the switch, timbering to support the switch, notching the tracks, etc.

The above operations have proven to be expensive and also unsatisfactory, for the reason that the cast iron portion wears much more rapidly than the steel track; consequently, the parts were ill fitting, and this caused uneven places in the track which is detrimental to successful traversing of the trolleys. With my unit it is;only necessary to install three 2-hole hangers to support the unit.

Applicant. has devised a switch unit which may the assembled ,at l the plant and :quickly installed :between thevariousterminalends of straight portionswof the tracks, thus obivatingthe'comrplicated fitting process, and providing a structure wherein all of the parts will fall into perfect alignment.

.In the accompanying drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a curved portion of track, and the numeral 6 a straight portion of track, which straight portion has a recess 1 formed therein.

These two portions 5 and 6 are connected by a bridge 8 welded, or otherwise secured, thereto, in order to hold these two parts 5 and 6 in permanent adjustment with respect to each other.

Extending outwardly from the straight track 6 is a bifurcated support 9, to which is piovtally secured a plate ll, through the medium of a pivot bolt ID on the free end of which is a curved switch section [2.

An operating lever I3 is connected to the plate II and extends downwardly through an eye l4 formed on the back of a pivoted straight switch section or filler bar l6, which is pivoted as at H to the track 6. A rope is attached to the end of the lever l3 and when pulled it will throw the switch from either the curved position to straight position or vice versa. This lever [3 has a camming action with the eye hi to move the switch section 16 alternately in opposite directions.

By viewing Figures 3 and 4, it will be noted that the end of the curved section 5 is provided with an extension l8, against which the curved switch portion I2 comes to rest when in the position of Fig. 1. Also, there is a safety catch I9 pivoted to the extension I8, which is in the position of Fig. 4 when the curved switch section I2 is raised. This catch is merely a counterweighted stop which moves into the line of travel of a trolley on the curved section when the curved switch section [2 is in raised position. Therefore, a trolley traveling along the curved section 5 cannot possibly run ofi the end of the track as it will engage the safety catch 19 and be stopped.

When the switch unit as above described is to be installed it is merely necessary for the ends thereof to be brought into alignment with the main sections of the rails, as designated by the 3 letters A, B and C, which are supported by the customary two-hole hangers 2|.

When the switch unit has been installed it will be obvious that when the parts are in the full turn position of Fig. 1, then a trolley n the rail C will roll over the curved section 5 and switch section 12, to land on the rail portion A, or vice versa; and that when the lever I3 is moved from the dotted line position of Fig. 3 to the full line position of Figs. 3 or 4, then the curved switch section l2 will be raised and the straight switch section [6 will be moved on its pivot and swung into the recess I, and that then a trolley may travel from the straight section B to the straight section A or vice versa.

It will be understood that the form'of my invention herewith shown and described is to be ,taken as a preferred example of the same and that various changes relative to the material, size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention orthe scope of the subjoined claim.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A switch unit for overhead tracks comprising a straight track having a part of its upper portion cut away, a curved track secured to said straight track and having an end spaced from the straight track, a bifurcated support extending laterally from the straight track below the cut away portion, a filler bar for said cut away portion hinged to the straight track at one end of the cut away portion, a tongue extending laterally from said filler bar and having a transversely elongated slot at its free end, said filler bar and tongue resting on said support, a plate having one edge hingedly pivoted to the free end of said support, a curved track section carried by the opposite edge of said plate, an operating arm having one end fixed to said plate in spaced relation to the pivotal axis thereof, the arm extending through said slot and between the sides of said support, said arm being curved eccentrically with respect to said pivotal axis.

SIDNEY LE FIELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 569,199 Hibbard Oct. 13, 1896 571,607 Werner Nov. 17, 1896 695,277 Clark Mar. 11, 1902 1,155,214 Conrad Sept. 28, 1915 1,162,320 Stewart Nov. 30, 1915 1,171,748 Normine Feb. 15, 1916 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 24,372 Great Britain Oct. 25, 1912 

